Why Gun Control Reform Is So Difficult: A Latent Class Analysis of Gun Policy Preferences

ABSTRACT Americans have a reoccurring discussion about firearms and gun culture in America with no policy changes. We used data from Pew Research fielded just after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012 to conduct a latent class analysis of gun policy positions and assess how demographic characteristics, such as religion, impact belonging to particular gun policy latent classes. Unlike much previous research, we analyzed not just individuals’ viewpoints on gun policy but also the actions they take regarding their viewpoints. In this attempt to understand why a seemingly dominant view (i.e., a desire to change gun laws) never seems to move forward, we found that the largest latent class is respondents favoring gun control but who are not active. Further, unlike those within the active gun control class, respondents in the active pro-gun latent class are more likely to contribute financially rather than just sign petitions or speak out.